Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Sunday July 22, 2018 :
Fresh off a plane from their appearance at Splendour in the Grass, Scottish synth and indie pop trio Chvrches played a packed-out Hordern Pavilion on a crisp Sunday night in wintery Sydney. Touring their latest album Love is Dead, vocalist Lauren Mayberry and multi-instrumentalists Iain Cook & Martin Doherty are joined by drummer Jonny Scott for their live performances – a combination that really works. Bursting on to the stage with high-energy first single off this album, ‘Get Out’, the crowd was straight into it and the dancing started. Older track ‘Gun’ was next, setting the scene for a perfect mix of old and new songs over the night.
Mayberry strides the stage with absolute confidence combined with her sort of child-like quality, twirling in her transparent chiffon dress one minute and cutting out moves in between the other band members the next – what she lacks in stature she absolutely makes up in presence. Her powerful, high melodic voice cuts through the synth with ease while an awesome light show bathes the stage in atmospheric oranges, purples and pinks, visually complementing the high-energy pop vibe. Around halfway through the set of 17 songs, Doherty takes the mic for ‘Lies’ and ‘Under the Tide’ – it seemed like he almost struggled to engage the crowd at first, but then winning them over – especially in his second song when he danced up a storm.
The crowd sing-along factor was definitely happening throughout the show – for older tracks like ‘The Mother We Share’ and also the newer ones like ‘Miracle’. This is a band who has produced three studio albums in just five years, and their many contagious, danceable singles and relentless touring schedule has really paid off. A great live show.
Reviewer : Caitlin Martin
Photographer : Joshua South
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